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How Often Should You Practice Handwriting?

People say that handwriting is a dying art, but that is not at all true – or at least it should not be. People also believe that in due time, children will not be taught handwriting in school, which would also be a large mistake. For now, however, handwriting is still a vital means of communication, and the real question becomes how often a person should practice. Mostly, it comes down to how quick a child or adult can learn and how much time they have to devote to it. However, many techniques make practicing more like fun than work.

Making Handwriting FunFor children especially, learning to print and to write in cursive starts out fun but soon gets tedious. In addition, it can be difficult to understand, because cursive letters are much different from their printed counterparts. There are adults who unfortunately do not know cursive, and want to learn, but find it time consuming and difficult. The key is to make practicing fun, by writing down or copying interesting passages out of books and other media. In addition, passing notes is always entertaining, and is a great technique for practicing the art of writing.

Incorporating Writing into Other TasksBecause it is difficult to find the time to practice handwriting each day, it helps to sneak the act into other tasks. For example, handwrite errands or items for a grocery list. Additionally, practice handwriting while taking phone messages or writing letters. Another effective way to practice handwriting is to write out messages that are intended as email. As a result, practice is not only useful, but also, fun.

Using Proper Handwriting TechniquesAnyone who has ever handwritten a very long piece is well aware of the painful onset of writer's cramp. Perhaps this is the reason why some people shy away from actually handwriting something in the first place. However, using the proper techniques makes handwriting far less painful. Not only is it important to have a good writing utensil and hold it properly, but also, to keep the paper aligned so the hand does not have to stretch or contort to. As a result, handwriting remains easy and is far less tiring on the fingers.

Develop a System and StylePart of the fun of learning to write in cursive and practicing with handwriting is developing an individual system and style. Both adults and children who are first learning the art believe they have to copy the letters exactly. However, as they get older, they will discover the joy of creating their own style. By continuing to practice, they can ensure that their style remains legible and easy to understand. However, you should practice handwriting whenever there is time, inclination, and opportunity and always follow the proper techniques.

There are no limits to how often and where you should practice handwriting. In fact, the more you practice and create your own style, the easier handwriting will be.